Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is the best level of humidity in terms of percent? Also any feeding tips on how to get some pretty laid back youngsters to even strike at pinky heads? Thanks for any info
-----
1.1.0 Atheris Chlorechis
0.0.1 Black Throat Monitor
1.0.0 Borneo Blood Python
2.2.0 Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons
1.1.0 High Yellow Jungle carpet pythons
0.0.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 rose hair tarantula
0.1.0 3 year old boxer

Hello,

I am a very new keeper. The trusted source I obtained my baby pair from suggested that I keep them in very small containers for the time being. I actually do not have water dishes for them. There is a cut up peice of egg crate in their containers for them to sit and climb on. I mist them daily so they have water to drink, and it has been keeping them hydrated. I am unsure of the percentage, but I would guess around 75 or so. Just a guess.

I have finally gotten them to take 1/2 pinkies. It has taken tons and tons and tons of tease feeding. I just keep waving it in front of them, bumping them...it just seems like they will never strike the damn thing! Then all the sudden- WAM! They hit them and realize what they have done and being eating. Also I make sure my pinkies are extra warm. I do not know if that helps as they are not exactly "pit"vipers but it help for my boids so I just do it for everyone.

Hope it helps. Keep us posted on how it goes!

-----
Chris Foley

75% is kind of high for long term care, but I know that you were just guessing at that number. 50-60% is more what I aim for during the maintenance season. That number will go way up during the rainy season if I am trying to breed pairs. It may also go way down during the warm season when I may slightly brumate them. Again, this is for adults who are cycling. For babies, just stick to the simple constant temps (75-80F) and constant humidity(50-60%) and keep them both very mild. Too wet and they will get respiratory infections (RI) and if they are too dry they can get RI or dessicate on you. They will be fine without a nighttime drop, too, if you like.

I like using pinky hams with babies because it's easier to make them hold onto it when they strike. With a full pink there is enough weight there that they can just sling it off. With a ham, there is less mass and they have a harder time spitting it out. Be more aggressive if your babies aren't striking. Get mad and make that baby eat. Bump them on the neck and tail and get them riled up and don't take no for an answer. But do it in brief sessions so as to not tire the snakes out too much. Try for 60 seconds and then give them a rest. Most people are too gentle in the beginning...I know that I was. Just find that happy median between too gentle and abuse. It's harder in the beginning, but it will get easier with every feed. Good luck.

Derek Morgan

im giving mine a couple days to relax....it seems like they wont bite for anything , i hit the tail ,the body, but just cant seem to get them pissed off....any more tips? thanx again
-----
1.1.0 Atheris Chlorechis
0.0.1 Black Throat Monitor
1.0.0 Borneo Blood Python
2.2.0 Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons
1.1.0 High Yellow Jungle carpet pythons
0.0.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 rose hair tarantula
0.1.0 3 year old boxer

hello i got a baby female cholorechis and i had the same problem feeding till a friend told me to grab the snake by the neck behind the head,with the other hand get the pinki leg with the twicers then place in front of the snakes mouth till she bites, will take a couple of tries but it work for me.
now she eats on her own, i hope this help.

that must have been fun doing while trying not to get bit lol
-----
1.1.0 Atheris Chlorechis
0.0.1 Black Throat Monitor
1.0.0 Borneo Blood Python
2.2.0 Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons
1.1.0 High Yellow Jungle carpet pythons
0.0.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 rose hair tarantula
0.1.0 3 year old boxer

Yep, you're being a bit too gentle if they won't strike for anything. I have had good luck with extremely difficult strikers by actually using the forceps/pinkie ham to pin the snake behind the head like you're going to pin it to pick it up. But you don't pick it up, just pin it for a second and then let it go. This should really piss them off after a couple of times and that's what you want. If simply pinning them doesn't do it, follow that up with some body taps and tail taps. You really have to get the feeling like you're trying to piss this thing off, not be it's buddy.

Get them to strike in anger and you can use that against them. The trick is to shove the pinkie ham in their mouth when they strike out. It takes some practice and you may have to shove it in their mouths more than once before it stays. But you will have a baby that's all pissed off striking and then it suddenly gets a mouthful of pink ham and it's too small to spit out. So they sit there for a second not knowing what to do, and then they decide to swallow it. Be patient, but be persistent.

Derek